Ximed: Revolutionizing Mammography
- TALENCE, France – A French start-up, Ximed, is developing technology it says will make breast cancer detection faster, more effective, and less invasive.
- the technology is a new medical imaging system using phase-contrast X-ray tube sources.
- According to Ximed, the technology enhances contrasts and image resolution during mammograms.
Ximed‘s Innovative Tech Aims to Revolutionize Breast Cancer Detection
Table of Contents
- Ximed’s Innovative Tech Aims to Revolutionize Breast Cancer Detection
- Ximed’s Innovative Tech: Revolutionizing Breast cancer detection – Q&A
- What is Ximed?
- What kind of technology is Ximed developing?
- How does Ximed’s technology improve breast cancer detection?
- What are the potential benefits of Ximed’s technology?
- What is the difference between current mammography and Ximed’s technology?
- What is a macrobiopsy and why does Ximed’s technology matter in relation to it?
- What products is Ximed developing?
- When will Ximed’s products be available?
- How is Ximed being supported?
- What is Ximed’s target market?
- Why is early breast cancer detection so important?
- What is the current state of breast cancer screening in France?
- What are the main differences between Ximed’s products?
TALENCE, France – A French start-up, Ximed, is developing technology it says will make breast cancer detection faster, more effective, and less invasive. Launched in February 2024, Ximed is working to industrialize a patented technology designed to improve breast cancer screening at its facilities at the Aquitaine institute of Optics in Talence.
the technology is a new medical imaging system using phase-contrast X-ray tube sources. The system is being developed in the Bordeaux area by the Alphanov technology center and its partners, including the Bergonié Institute, Laser Amplitude, and the Celia and Imagine Optic laboratory, as part of the Xpulse project. The project has been subsidized with up to 20 million euros by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the European Regional Development Fund (Feder).
Improved Diagnosis Capabilities
According to Ximed, the technology enhances contrasts and image resolution during mammograms. This improvement allows doctors and radiologists to more effectively detect microcalcifications, which can be an early sign of cancer.
Najia Tamda, co-founder of Ximed, explained that current mammography, which relies on X-ray absorption imaging, often produces images that are too vague. this vagueness makes it difficult to determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign.
“Our mammographer would make it possible to detect a malignant or benign tumor directly in the clinic, in hospital or in radiology firms,”
Najia Tamda, Co-founder of Ximed
Tamda added that radiologists currently often recommend macrobiopsies, which require a tissue sample to be sent to a laboratory for microscopic analysis.
“This invasive procedure is often painful for patients and time-consuming for medical staff,” Tamda said. “Especially since in 81% of cases, the tumor is benign. Our mammographer would avoid this binding and sometimes unnecessary procedure, save considerable time and detect a malignant or benign tumor directly in clinic, hospital or radiology firms.”
Two Products in Development
The mammographer, named Phoenix, is currently under development. Ximed anticipates marketing it indirectly through distribution contracts with medical imaging companies by 2029. The company says that in addition to improving image quality, Phoenix will reduce radiation doses for patients.
Ximed is closer to marketing its first specimen radiology device (SRS), called Brightx.Brightx is designed to assist radiologists during macrobiopsies and surgeons during tumor removal operations by providing better image quality and anomaly detection. Ximed aims to launch Brightx in 2026, with the Bergonié Institute in Bordeaux potentially being the first to use it.
Targeting a Global Market
Ximed currently has a small team of five employees and two consultants. The Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region continues to support Ximed through subsidies, including a recent grant of 275,000 euros, as part of its focus on developing the photonics sector.
With Brightx and Phoenix, Ximed aims to replace customary mammography by targeting a global market. The company notes that approximately 250 million mammograms are performed each year and that one in eight women worldwide will develop breast cancer. Early detection considerably improves survival rates, with a 90% survival rate after five years when detected early. This underscores the importance of expanding and simplifying screening through new technologies.
Low Screening Rates a Concern
Breast cancer screening is a significant public health issue in France. According to Public Santé France, approximately 61,000 new cases are detected, and more than 12,000 people die each year from the disease. in 2023, about 2.6 million women underwent mammography as part of screening, representing a participation rate of 48.2%, which is well below the European target of 70%.
Ximed’s Innovative Tech: Revolutionizing Breast cancer detection – Q&A
What is Ximed?
ximed is a French start-up launched in February 2024, focusing on developing innovative technology for breast cancer detection. They are working too commercialize a patented technology aimed at making breast cancer screening faster, more effective, and less invasive. they are based in Talence, France, at the Aquitaine Institute of Optics.
What kind of technology is Ximed developing?
ximed’s technology utilizes a new medical imaging system that employs phase-contrast X-ray tube sources. This technology is being developed in the Bordeaux area.
How does Ximed’s technology improve breast cancer detection?
According to Ximed, their technology enhances contrast and image resolution during mammograms. This betterment allows doctors and radiologists to more effectively detect microcalcifications, which can be an early indicator of cancer. This is a meaningful advancement as current mammography techniques sometimes produce vague images, making it difficult to distinguish between malignant and benign tumors.
What are the potential benefits of Ximed’s technology?
The technology being developed by Ximed aims to:
Improve diagnostic accuracy: By enhancing image quality, it can help determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign more effectively than current methods.
Reduce the need for invasive procedures: It aims to potentially eliminate the need for macrobiopsies in many cases, saving patients from painful procedures.
Save time for medical staff: By providing clearer images, the technology can potentially reduce the time required for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Reduce radiation doses for patients: The “Phoenix” mammographer,currently under progress,is designed to reduce radiation exposure.
What is the difference between current mammography and Ximed’s technology?
Current mammography often relies on X-ray absorption imaging, which can produce images that are too vague. Ximed’s technology uses phase-contrast X-ray tube sources, leading to enhanced contrast and image resolution. This allows doctors to make more accurate diagnoses.
What is a macrobiopsy and why does Ximed’s technology matter in relation to it?
A macrobiopsy is an invasive procedure where a tissue sample is extracted and sent to a laboratory for microscopic analysis. Radiologists frequently enough recommend macrobiopsies if there are abnormalities in a mammogram. Ximed’s technology aims to provide clearer images, potentially avoiding unnecessary macrobiopsies.Ximed co-founder, Najia Tamda, stated that in 81% of cases, the tumor is benign, thus, the new mammographer could potentially avoid “this binding and sometimes unnecessary procedure”.
What products is Ximed developing?
Ximed is currently developing two primary products:
Phoenix: A mammographer (mammography machine) that is currently under development. Ximed anticipates marketing it through distribution contracts with medical imaging companies by 2029.
Brightx: A specimen radiology device (SRS) designed to assist radiologists during macrobiopsies and surgeons during tumor removal operations. ximed aims to launch Brightx in 2026, with the bergonié Institute in Bordeaux potentially being the first to use it.
When will Ximed’s products be available?
Brightx: Ximed aims to launch Brightx in 2026.
Phoenix: Ximed anticipates marketing the Phoenix mammographer by 2029.
How is Ximed being supported?
Ximed is receiving financial support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the European Regional Development Fund (Feder), with subsidies totaling up to 20 million euros. The Region continues to support Ximed through grants such as a recent 275,000 euro grant.
What is Ximed’s target market?
Ximed is aiming to replace customary mammography by targeting a global market.
Why is early breast cancer detection so important?
Early detection substantially improves survival rates. If breast cancer is detected early, patients have a 90% survival rate after five years. This underscores the importance of expanding and simplifying screening through new technologies.
What is the current state of breast cancer screening in France?
Breast cancer screening is a major public health concern in France. In 2023, approximately 2.6 million women underwent mammography, representing a participation rate of 48.2%. This screening rate is below the European target of 70%. The sources report that approximately 61,000 new cases are detected,and more than 12,000 people die each year from the disease in France.
What are the main differences between Ximed’s products?
Here’s a comparison of the two products:
| feature | Phoenix (Mammographer) | Brightx (SRS Device) |
| :——————- | :——————————————- | :—————————————————– |
| Purpose | Breast cancer screening and diagnosis | Assisting radiologists during macrobiopsies/surgeries |
| Stage | Under development | Aiming for launch in 2026 |
| Focus | Improved image quality, reduced radiation | Better image quality, anomaly detection |
| Marketing | Indirectly through distribution contracts | Direct to medical professionals |
| Key Benefit | earlier detection of microcalcifications | Improved accuracy during biopsies/surgeries |
| Target Launch | 2029 | 2026 |